Torturing Scripture to say Jesus only died for the elect

I grew up in the faith being told to read the Word of God for myself. That by doing this I would grow in my faith and understanding of the truths of scripture. But ironically what is plainly written isn’t enough for some in the Christian faith. Now I am told by some individuals that I can not trust what I plainly see written in the scripture. That somehow I have not grown up in the faith, unless I believe what is not written in the text I have come to put my faith in. I am encouraged to believe that somehow what I read doesn’t mean what it say and miraculously it means something different than what I read.

This is the case when I read that Jesus died for the sins of the world. I can read John 3:16 and how God sooooo loved the world that He sent His only Son to die, that whosoever, that would be anyone, believes in Him will not parish but have everlasting life. I get told from those in the Calvinist crowd that the word “world” actually means elect. And they do this linguistic expert gyration to persuade me that the word “world” has ten meanings and in this case it means only the elect. That is only those who are going to heaven. All those not going to heaven are not included in this verse. Besides whomsoever means only the elect.

I have to wonder if those Calvinist detractors have ever considered what the Bible says. Since after all they can only point to the book of Second Opinions to quote “Jesus only died for the elect”. But I like those other books of the Bible that are not part of the Calvinist Apocrypha, that say what they mean and mean what they say.

Take for instance the text of Hebrews 2:9. It clearly says that Jesus, by the grace of God, “tasted death for every man”. Now is it me or is it me? Somebody help me out here. I quoted from the Word of God that Jesus died for every man, so should I let some man convince me that what is written is not what the Holy Spirit meant. That the writer should have put the word “elect” in place of every man or that every man actually means elect.

How about Paul when he says in Colosians 1:20 that God through the blood of Jesus reconciled all things unto Himself. If that ain’t enough, it includes all things in earth as well as heaven. I suppose this “all things” doesn’t mean what it says or say what it means. Keep in mind Calvinist can only quote Second Opinions when quoting “Jesus only died for the elect”. Does this mean what I can clearly read and clearly quote is less inspired than those quotes from First and Second Opinions? Or am I in the right to quote the Word of God and believe it?

Ever do a study of “it is written” in scripture? I have. You know, not once does scripture quote itself by saying, “If you look deeper into the text” or “if you go back to the original language”. It says, “it is written”, “as the prophet has said”, “just as David himself declared” and on and on. But my favorite is, “it is clearly written”. Now again, is it me or is it me, I know not one educated and dedicated Calvinist who can say, “It is clearly written, Jesus died only for the elect”. That is unless they are quoting their Calvinist Apocrypha.

I know, I know, they can’t get their heads around the fact that if Jesus died for everyone and salvation is offered to everyone. It would mean that the work of Jesus was of no effect for those who are unbelievers. Fore some reason this is something they can’t abide. They for some reason stamp their doctrinal feet here and draw a line in the sand. But have they never read about the unbelieving and the work of God? Paul in Romans 9, speaks of the Hebrew who had the promises, the Law, covenants, glory and adoption who did not participate in these because of their unbelief. Yet in verse 6 Paul is still able to say, “Not as if the Word of God hath taken none effect”. Just like all men can share in the work of Christ, since He died for every man, it doesn’t nullify the work of Christ when men stand in unbelief.

I just don’t understand how intelligent men can defend the doctrine of Limited Atonement when it is clearly written, “[God]Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” in I Timothy 2:4. Again I see God’s motivation and desire for “all men” to come.

I can’t comprehend sincere men who study so hard, for I am convinced nobody studies more than Calvinist, who toss so easily aside what is clearly written, for what they study. Let your eyes fall upon I Timothy 4:10 and make it part of your study. “[God] who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” Meditate on what is clearly written. Jesus is the Savior of all men. Even for those who believe not. It is further clarified by saying “specially of those that believe.” This clarification doesn’t exclude “all men” but reaffirms “all men”.

So as not to keep beating the Calvinist on the head, I will do one more it is clearly written, all though I could keep going on. This is how firmly ingrained in scripture “it is written” Jesus died for all men and atonement is not limited. In Romans, Paul has stated that just as through Adam, all men were included in condemnation, so even now by the one, Christ, the free gift [of eternal life] has come upon all men. It is clearly written in Romans 5:18, “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”

Who amongst the Calvinist will admit that they have a problem here? Who will be brave enough to step forward and confess they can’t quote scripture and say, “It is clearly written, Jesus died for the elect only”? Which one of you will break free from loving the teaching of men over what is clearly written? Who will see what your doing to scripture is sin? Teaching men to not trust what is plainly written is beyond conception. This behavior no one can justify by scripture. Is it not asking, “Has God really said”?

Please, be honest with yourself before God concerning what is written and give up torturing scripture to fit an unbiblical idea. It is not about me, it is not about this post, it is not about my cleaver picture, it is about your integrity and honesty before God. Just you and Him. You Calvinist need to encourage one another to believe what is clearly written. Clinging to what is clearly written over what is not written anywhere, doesn’t make one the bad guy.

6 thoughts on “Torturing Scripture to say Jesus only died for the elect”

Very clear and well-written; very erudite. It takes quite some hermeneutical acrobatics to come to Calvinist conclusions on the Christian faith. What is more horrific, though, is the influence Calvinism has had on the Christian faith in toto. Very tragic, indeed!

I thought I’d already read this, and lo and behold, I have. You see, I’m also “mycaelum.” So, I simply reiterate my comments above while adding my appreciation for your choice of picture. Thank you, too, for taking the time to read and “like” my own offerings upon the sad subject of Calvinism! All the best to you w/blessings.

I came to a point where I felt the need to begin a totally separate blog in order to keep my original pure, you might say. (My main blog is noblethemes, btw) So my totally separate blog, “mycaelum,” is kind of a catch-all, you might say, although I’ve been focusing on philosophic-theological subjects. Well . . . actually I have THREE blogs! LOL My “igNoble Religious Ramblings” was originally a “twig” off of “noblethemes” meant to be a space where I would focus completely on religious subjects, THEN the idea for “mycaleum” came to mind for (as I said above) a catch-all, off-the-cuff blog where I can just . . . spew! LOL

I cant say that i am a Calvinist but i do agree with what they seem to have said to you. I am young so please don’t shoot me down without considering what i say. I believe the Calvinist were referring to the doctrine of limited atonement which states that Christs death is SUFFICIENT to cover the sins of the world but only EFFICIENT for the elect.
So, are saying all are saved by Christs work??? even if they are unbelievers when you say: “it doesn’t nullify the work of Christ when men stand in unbelief.” {Thats the bottom of paragraph 7}